Towing with a ride on mower

[Paul in the woods]

Thank you for the suggestions but I have looked into our meadow management needs and I do need a method of cutting and removing clippings myself.

 

For example, I have asked local farmers but the fields are too small for them to bother with and their entrances too small for their modern tractors. Also they need to be cut much later than July as some of their main wild flowers are only just starting to flower now, e.g. knapweed. It has also been recommended to us to leave cutting areas until after winter as we have owls hunting and leaving cover for food for their prey helps. As I also mentioned I have a use for the clippings.

 

I have also thought about livestock but the area would need to be fenced and I've not found sheep to be able to push with wheelbarrows.

 

I'll have another look at compacts but I don't think I'll pick up a decent one for £3k and when you add a mower and a form of collecting the clippings the price is going to be too high.

[spandit]

To collect an acres worth of clippings is quite an undertaking but I understand your frustration as we have a four acre field that the farmers don't want to bother with. You could rake up cuttings with a spring tine harrow behind a compact tractor. Not going to be beautiful mulch overnight, mind. 

 

Sheep wouldnt need to push wheelbarrows as they wouldn't be leaving clippings to carry! Electric fencing isn't too expensive and you might find someone willing to do it just to give their livestock some new pasture.